Disco de Cher: “Greatest Hits [1974]”

In all fairness, whoever put this together - and the names Snuff Garrett and Todd Everett are quoted as producers in the liner notes - called it "Cher and Sonny & Cher Greatest Hits." That nullifies the complaints by some that there are too many solo Cher hits in the package. However, leaving the title like that is misleading in that this is their greatest only while recording for Kapp/MCA, a stretch which ran from 1971 to 1974.

They also included several that were certainly NOT among their greatest hits for those labels. These are: I Hate To Sleep Alone which was the uncharted flipside of Cher's I Saw A Man And He Danced With His Wife [# 3 Adult Contemporary (AC)/# 42 Billboard Hot 100 in 1974; United We Stand which was a cut from the 1972 Kapp LP "All I Ever Need Is You"; The Greatest Show On Earth which came from the 1973 MCA LP; When You Find Out Where You're Goin', Let Me Know which was the uncharted flipside of Cher's Carousel Man which scored only on the AC charts in 1974 [# 41 at that]; the live version of I Got You Babe, recorded in 1973 in Las Vegas; and Crystal Clear/Muddy Waters which was the uncharted B-side to the 1972 S&C Kapp hit When You Say Love [# 32 Hot 100].

At least they provide three of Cher's # 1s - tracks 2, 13, and 14. As for their hits together, all four with Kapp/MCA are here with the two best being All I Ever Need Is You [# 1 AC for 5 weeks/# 2 Hot 100 in 1972] and A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done [# 4 AC/# 8 Hot 100 in 1972]. They also include their last as a duet, 1973's Mama Was A Rock And Roll Singer, Papa Used To Write which peaked at # 77 Hot 100 in April for MCA.

What would have made this compilation infinitely better was the inclusion of the above-mentioned missing A-side and Don't Hide Your Love, which hit # 19 AC/# 46 Hot 100 for Cher on the Kapp label in 1972. The sound quality is good, and the insert has a discography of the contents, a couple of more shots of the duo, and four pages of interesting background notes by Everett.

Cher and Sonny & Cher - Greatest Hits gives us excellent, great hits by both Sonny & Cher as well as hits by Cher performing solo. The sound quality is rather good; and I like the cover artwork a lot!

"All I Ever Need Is You" is a beautiful, charming love song that mixes folk with light rock to make this a hit for Sonny & Cher! Sonny & Cher never miss a beat; and even Sonny's somewhat nasal voice sounds wonderful here. The musical arrangement lacks nothing, either." Gypsies, Tramps And Thieves" is a solo hit from Cher; this features Cher's vocals squarely in the spotlight and she handles the tempo and key changes like a pro! Cher sings "Gypsies, Tramps And Thieves" so well I'm sure you'll like it as much as I do.

"United We Stand" is a cover of a classic `60s hit that Sonny & Cher do a fine job with; they harmonize well and the music tugs at my heartstrings. "A Cowboy's Work Is Never Done" reminds me of the days when I used to hear this on the radio; the music is awesome and both Sonny and Cher make this a masterpiece in their capable hands. Listen also for "Mama Was A Rock And Roll Singer Papa Used To Write All Her Songs;" this is one song that never sounded better than when Sonny & Cher performed it. "Mama Was A Rock And Roll Singer Papa Used To Write All Her Songs" has a rockin' beat with electric guitar--and at the beginning it sounds like a type of harder rock than Sonny & Cher usually perform.

"Half-Breed" explores the angst a woman feels when she's part Native American and part white. Cher sings this with passion, heart and soul--and you can tell by just listening to it. The album concludes with "I've Got You Babe" by Sonny & Cher as they bat this one straight out of the ballpark!

Overall, this is a must have for fans of Sonny & Cher; and Cher fans will enjoy this also. It's also a great starter CD for people just getting into Cher and Sonny & Cher.

For a "greatest hits", this was a major disappointment... it's more a collection of miscellaneous songs, a few hits and some Cher goodies... Better title would have been "A Couple of Their Greatest Hits and Miscellaneous Stuff" album...

This cd is a good abridgement of the 2 cd compilation put out by MCA a few years back. It includes all the 70's pop that made the duo a hit in that decade. It includes the hit"All I Ever Need is You" and Chers' classic gypsy songs that racked up 3 number one hits. Snuff Garett is the winner here in producing a clean and seductive sound. "The Way of Love", and the Bono penned "Cowboys Work", are as fresh today as the day they were recorded.

What can you say about Sonny and Cher? This is a CD with their greatest hits! I love it and listen to it quite often. It is fun to go back in time and listen to this music. Thanks